Address Numerology: Unlock Your Home's Hidden Personality

You already know your home has a story. You can literally see it when you strip away 30 years of paint off an old brick wall, like I've been doing this summer. (Who chose that bright orange that's four layers deep?) But if you ask any numerologist, your home also has an innate personality and character—and that's something a little harder to unlock.

Basically, numerologists believe that there's a mystical connection between numbers and events, and that you can study the numbers attached to a given person, place or idea—like, yes... an address!—in order to learn something about it. Numerology is an age-old practice dating back to ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, but it's still something a lot of people believe in and practice today. And if you're looking for a fun and fresh way to think about your home, this just might be it.

It starts with discovering your home's number—a single digit between 1 and 9—and then discovering what that number has to uncover about your home's unique energy and character.

How to Find Your Home's Number

In numerology, you need to distill your address into a single digit, which you can do by adding numbers together. For example, if you live at 724 Main Street, you'll take your address number ("724") and add the digits together:

7 + 2 + 4 = 13

Then, if you get a double-digit number as a result, add again:

1 + 3 = 4

Your house number is 4!

If you live on a street named for a number...
Ignore it. For example, if your address is 130 5th Avenue, ignore the street ("5th Avenue") and add up just the address number (the "130," which becomes "4").

If you live in an apartment...Use your unit number—it's the most unique number for your space. For example, if you live at 1200 Willow Court, Apt. 33, only add up the unit number ("33," which adds down to "6").

If you have letters in your address or unit number...
Add it up! If your street number or apartment number contains a letter— like "960-A," or "4C"—you'll want to add the letter along with the numbers, using the numeric equivalent of that letter (which is done by assigning it a number according to it's place in the alphabet). Here's a cheat sheet:

1: Independence, Innovation, Strength

The number one home is a good space for self-employed people or single people, as the energy of the home encourages you to maintain your independence, autonomy, and personal freedom. In fact, it has exactly the right energy for someone starting a business, working from home, or just looking to discover more about themselves. Kari Samuels writes that living here can definitely strengthen your determination and confidence, but there are challenges: "If you want to find a partner, or are prone to loneliness, this home can have too much 'self' energy and not as much partnering." Felicia Bender adds: "If you're looking for a 'soft and fuzzy' family environment, this is not the place for you."

2: Nurturing, Cozy, Sensitive

The number two home is the polar opposite to a number one home. It's a home built for belonging, and Felicia Bender writes "its energy promotes loving relationships, devotion to the group as a whole, and is a harmonious place to live." It's a good home for romantic partners, young families and roommates who are good friends, as people feel nurtured and comfortable here. Kari Samuels suggests that because the energy of a number two home is sensitive and sentimental, it's "a lovely place for those who enjoy being surrounded by photographs of family and friends, and having people over for intimate gatherings, especially where feelings are expressed and affection is shared."

3: Entertaining, Creative, Upbeat

Numerologists believe that the number three has creative vibrations, so the number three home is a good place for artists or anyone in a creative field. But it's also a great environment for social gatherings, entertaining at home and just generally living life to the fullest. Felicia Bender writes that the number three home is "perfect for hosting parties and get togethers with fascinating people." And Kari Samuels adds that if you're wanting to start a family or an artistic endeavor, the number three home would be a great place—but she also warns that the same energy "can lend itself to you being scattered, unfocused, or spending too much money."

4: Practical, Protected, Grounded

In numerology, the number four has a very serious, grounded vibration—so it follows that the number four home supports discipline, structure and responsibility. It's a great place to expand a business, grow your family or take control of your finances, according to Kari Samuels, as discipline, structure, and responsibility are supported here: "This is a wonderful place if you prefer stability to change, or at least want your home to be conventional, even if the rest of your life is adventurous!" But it doesn't have to be all work and no play—Felicia Bender writes that the four home "is very 'earthy' and benefits from a nice garden and does well with live plants in the interior of the home as well."

5: Active, Social, Dynamic

The number five house is a party house. It maintains a vibrant energy and is a great place for people who love having people over and entertaining guests. But because the number five promotes variety and change, according to Kari Samuels, you might find you're not here long. She adds "if you're looking for quiet, reflection, or stability, you won't find it here." But your time in the five house is sure to impart life-long lessons. "People living in this home will be encouraged to live life to its fullest, tackle problems with fearless abandon, and make lemonade out of lemons," writes Felicia Bender. "Living here can teach you lessons about acceptance, the focused use of freedom, dynamic change, and facing your fears."

6: Love, Harmony, Family

The ideal home for families, the number six home is a sanctuary where everyone feels welcome. Children and animals thrive here. Actually, everyone (including your guests) will feel "at-home" with the number six—the most domestic number of numerology. Kari Samuels suggests that six house dwellers embrace the nurturing energy by decorating with comfortable furniture and lots of plants. But there are challenges to living in a six home, according to Felicia Bender: "Since 'responsibility' is the cornerstone for the energy of the 6, you might feel bogged down with responsibility in this home," she writes. "You might also feel as though you want to just hang out in your little cocoon all the time and not venture out and engage with the world."

7: Reflective, Introspective, Spiritual

Kari Samuels tells us that the number seven maintains a private vibration "and can be somewhat secretive." So any home bearing this number will inspire deep thought and reflection—making it a good home for introverts or anyone who loves coming home to have a quiet place to reflect. "It is important that you eliminate any clutter in your environment as well as your thoughts to harmonize with your home's energy," Samuels adds. Felicia Bender suggests that a seven home is an encouraging place for anyone working on a specialty, like a writer, scientist or professor, as it's "a place you can really take the time to get to know yourself in a deep and profound way."

8: Prosperity, Abundance, Ambition

A number eight home supports growth and ambition—making it a great space for entrepreneurs and career-driven people, especially if you run a business from home. "If you are wanting to expand your status in the world, position in life, financial wealth, or size of your family, this is a great home for you," writes Kari Samuels. But all of that upward-mobility means that a number eight home isn't best for anyone who wants their home to be a relaxed environment. "People who live here can become workaholics," Felicia Bender writes. "You might find that you have a tendency to become a 'hoarder' in this house – always getting more and more 'stuff.' If you're constantly upgrading the home for 'show' purposes, it can become a money pit."

9: Compassion, Acceptance, Community

Everyone is drawn to the number nine home's vibe—it has a loving energy that attracts touch-ins and visits from everyone, from all over the world (in numerology, the number nine is an "international" number). You'll learn a great deal about yourself and others from living here: "The 9 home is a place of humanitarianism," writes Felicia Bender. "It's all about charitable giving and its energy promotes creativity, spirituality, selflessness, and forgiveness. The personality of this house supports you in changing the world to make it a better place."